In the morning, let me hear of Your gracious love,
for in You I trust.
Cause me to know the way I should take,
because I have set my hope on You.
Psalm 143:8 (ISV)
Series: Hands and Feet
“I’m on a mission!” Have you ever said that? Perhaps your mission was finding the perfect gift, accomplishing a goal, or buying a house. I’ve been on a mission this summer to purchase a pair of navy sandal heels. Every time I walk into a store that has a shoe section, I beeline over to browse the selections. To date, I’ve been unsuccessful, and so a continuous reminder runs in the background of my mind.
My quest to find the perfect navy sandal heels is a self-serving mission. A military mission is another goal-oriented operation, but with a much greater purpose. Most organizations develop a mission statement that identifies their focus and goals. Some people go on mission trips to serve others.
There are all kinds of missions! Some definitions from the dictionary include: any important task or duty that is assigned, allotted, or self-imposed; an important goal or purpose that is accompanied by strong conviction; a calling or vocation; a sending or being sent for some duty or purpose.
Throughout the Bible, we read stories of people on missions. They act to fulfill a calling, a goal, a purpose that is fueled by a strong conviction. Accordingly, the faith of these people roused them to action. Let’s visit a few examples.
Acts 8:26-29 (HCSB) says:
An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.) So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud. The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.”
In Acts 9:10-11 (HCSB), we read:
There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Here I am, Lord!” he said. “Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there.
And Acts 10:19-20 (HCSB) says:
While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, “Three men are here looking for you. Get up, go downstairs, and accompany them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them.”
Philip went to the Ethiopian man to teach him and help him understand the scriptures. Once the Ethiopian understood the scriptures, he wanted to be baptized. Ananias went to lay his hands on Saul and declare that he would regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. When he did this, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. Saul received his sight and was baptized. Peter went to Corneillius as an answer to his prayer, bringing revelation and truth to the Gentiles. As a result, the Holy Spirit came upon all those who heard the message, and many were baptized.
God told Philip, Ananias, and Peter to “Get up and go”—each for different purposes and all to accomplish God’s will. These three men believed in God and obeyed Him. God called them and sent them. They went and did as the Lord instructed.
As we read further in Acts, we learn about the travels of Paul, formerly known as Saul, along with various other believers. (Yes, this is the same Saul that Ananius was sent to lay hands on.) These men shared the Gospel with the people in many towns across the region. As a result, Acts 16:5 (HCSB) reports:
So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily.
An angel of the Lord won’t physically visit most of us. However, if we are in Christ, then we have the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Jesus tells us, as recorded in John 16, that His Holy Spirit will instruct us and lead us in truth, showing us what is to come and what the Father’s will is.
Have you ever felt an urge to get up and go somewhere, do something, or call someone to share encouragement, truth, and hope? Were you obedient? If so, think about the results. Was someone encouraged in faith? Were believers strengthened? Did the kingdom of God increase because you fulfilled the mission God called you to?
This week, we pray that we be less focused on our personal missions and more attuned to God’s purpose for us. May we listen for the Lord’s instructions and may our faith fuel our obedience—that we go where He tells us to go and do what He tells us to do. May we be mission-minded as we enter each new day so that when God tells us to “get up and go,” we do.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Psalm 143:8; Acts 8:26-40, 9:1-19, 10:1-48; 16:1-5; John 16:5-15
